NiMh battery charging???? Which Batteries are Better??

[tecnica2001]

I have 4 3300mah NiMh packs that i'll be running on my losi XX at the VNats. Can I charge these packs the night before and then peake them on race day?? or should I just charge them before racing??

I always charged them at raceday, but this would save me a lot of time, if it was possible.

[YZ-10]

yea you can charge them the night before but ideally I recommend charging them on the day.

re-peaking is not advised

[tecnica2001]

Which of these two battery packs are better?? I'm leaning towards the SMCs but I want you guys opinions. And yes, $$ is an Issue, that's why I chose these two packs....

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXTHU4&P=7

or

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXTVP4&P=ML

Will my LRP Pulsar Competition 2 be able to handle these??

Cause it says "REQUIRES: Charger: Having Negative DeltaV or Zero DeltaV Peaking capabilities"

thank you:D

[edwin pibal]

hiya

either of these cells would be fine, (personally, id go for the trinity ep ones) its the IBs that have got a real bad rep with the 4600mah

charge them at 6 amps and you will be away

[tecnica2001]

Charge the Trinitys at 6 amps, even if they ask for 5 amps??

I gotta look at my chargers specs to see if I will handle the specs that batteries require.

[YZ-10]

yep either of those cells would be good, charge rate 5-6amps is fine i charge at 5.5

p.s. dig the charger out have a look though the menu see if you can adjust the capacity up to 4600mah and also check the peak settings can be adjusted right down

Rgds

[edwin pibal]

Charge the Trinitys at 6 amps, even if they ask for 5 amps??

I gotta look at my chargers specs to see if I will handle the specs that batteries require.

all of my 4200s and 4600s (well, the matched ones) all say to charge them at 6 amps.

by doing this, it increases the voltage in each sell, thus increasing the power availbile to your motor! MORE HORSEPOWER!!!

as YZ-10 correctly says, turn down the peak sensitivy as 4600s are known to false peak with in the first 5 - 10 minutes of charging.

from memory the lrps will go up to 9999 dont they ?

Edwin

[scr8p]

well, if money is an issue, you could get these unassembled matched 4600 cells from promatch. $43.99 per pack, which includes battery bars. for $5.00 more per pack, they'll assemble them any way you want. and, if you spend over $100, shipping is free.

http://www.promatchracing.com/proddetail.php?prod=4606-GO

just another option................

[RETRO R/C]

I dont know how seriously you guys are taking the whole battery thing - but for what it is worth - dont worry to much about charging your batteries the night before - especially for vintage racing. Enjoy the meeting - just top them up before the race - you will have more than enough capacity (unless you are running a 3.5 brushless and way overgeared)....It's not a world championships - and unless you really are good enough to be at worlds level - you wont be able to notice - or take advantage of the difference charging on the day makes.

For what it is worth - far too many people get caught up in the "latest and greatest" cells, "gotta have this to be competitive" thing. Far more emphasis should be placed on getting the driving to a level where the advantage can be taken of the products. Off road racing DOES NOT require (especially at club level), bulk horse power. You cant put all the power down in off road - unless you are running on a super grippy track with absolutely no wheelspin at all. At the last couple of world titles the A finalists have even gone down to using 5 cells so that they can get the power down - it is actually quicker to have less available power.

On road racing is a completely different kettle of fish though.

Sorry for the rant - but I see far to many people worrying about their gear than having a good time. Spend more money on tires and consumables - drive more - and you will have more fun.

I am not directing this at anyone in particular - it is just a brain dump.

As for the question - SMC's and 5 to 5.5 amps MAX - you don't need the punch (with the exception of the above-mentioned possibilities of course. If you want my honest advice - buy the latest - cheapest good name cells and run them - you will have more packs for the same money - and plenty of performance.

Cheers

Darryn Johnson

[tecnica2001]

Thank you Retro

My main concern is that I'm not an all out racer, and I want to buy the best bang for the buck, a battery pack that'll give me longer runtimes for bashing, but good enough if I do decide to go racing.

I did do a bit of on road racing, that's why I ask all these questions, because although I love off road racing, I've never run in organized off road racing.

I just want to make an informed decision, I'll be running 3300 mah on my XX, with a brushed motor, not the fastest combo, If I say so myself, but I'll be running the brushless on the rc10T, and as you know, those trucks are pretty heavy, I just want a little bit more punch to push that heavy cow around the track

[tecnica2001]

well, if money is an issue, you could get these unassembled matched 4600 cells from promatch. $43.99 per pack, which includes battery bars. for $5.00 more per pack, they'll assemble them any way you want. and, if you spend over $100, shipping is free.

http://www.promatchracing.com/proddetail.php?prod=4606-GO

just another option................

woah, that's awesome, I think I found a winner

Thank you scr8p

[RETRO R/C]

From what I understand the pro-match cells are pretty sweet.......and excellent value for a matched pack.

A good driver with "lower" spec equipment will always beat an average driver with the best money can buy.

Enjoy yourself mate - and you dont need to charge at more than 5.5 amps for off road at this level.

Cheers mate

Darryn Johnson

[YZ-10]

I agree but don't repeak the cells, just charge them the night before or on the day

[MelvinsArmy]

Great posts Darryn, I agree 100%.

[Bugle]

I charge the night before then re-peak 4200's before the race to fully charge it and get the temperature up. Get way more punch when they're warm. 3300's doesn't matter so much they hold their charge way better.